As difficult as it was to stomach, the Florida Gators men’s basketball coach kept watching.

Four successive possessions during Wednesday’s night visit to Arkansas ended with three air balls and a turnover. Rather than turn the page, White burned the images in his memory before having his players relive the moment.

“We watched yesterday,” White said Friday. “Wasn't very fun to watch. It was about the fourth time I'd watched it.”

The Gators’ continuing struggles on offense have been impossible to ignore — and might be impossible to overcome.

Yet, White’s team continues to survive on the defensive end, where Florida ranks fifth nationally in efficiency, according to analytics guru Ken Pomeroy. Defense was just enough for the Gators (9-5, 1-1 SEC) to escape Arkansas with a 57-51 win.

But whether the Gators can scrape and claw their way to wins against better teams will be put to the test Saturday when No. 3 Tennessee (13-1, 2-0) visits the O’Connell Center. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. on ESPN.

Against the Vols, White’s squad is going to have to find an offensive rhythm and, more important, the basket. Otherwise, the Gators risk being blown out in front of a sellout crowd at home.

“We’re going to have play our best basketball just to have a chance,” White said.

UF has played well in spurts but failed to sustain the momentum other than during a 77-43 rout of Butler Dec. 29 at home. That day, the Gators hit 10 of their first 13 shots.

Since then, the Gators squandered a 14-point lead during a stunning 71-69 loss last weekend at home to South Carolina and nearly coughed up a 16-point advantage at Arkansas. The Gators failed to make a field goal during the final 7:17 at South Carolina, and then did not make one during the final 6:10 at Arkansas.

“Just lacking the killer instinct,” he said. “Lacking, honestly, the discipline to do what you did to get you the lead. Motor, toughness, leadership, you name it — starting with me. The last two games, we were just looking at that clock and waiting for it to run out.”

The Gators will have to be locked in for 40 minutes to survive Saturday against coach Rick Barnes’ Vols.

UF should be focused. Saturday’s game is a chance for the Gators to spark their season and vastly improve a flimsy postseason resumé.

White and Barnes each arrived at their respective schools in 2015. In Year 2, the Gators reached an Elite Eight under White. In Year 4, Tennessee now looks like a possible Final Four team.

“They have a chance to win a national championship,” White said. “They’re a really, really good college basketball team. They’re tough, they’re physical, no weaknesses.”

Reigning SEC Player of the Year Grant Williams, a 6-foot-7, 236-pound power forward averaging 18.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists, leads an attack averaging 86.4 points and shooting 51.4 percent from the floor.